Subramanian Swamy introduces Cow Protection Bill in Rajya Sabha

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member Subramanian Swamy on Friday introduced the Cow Protection Bill, 2017 (a private member bill) that seeks "deterrent punishment", including death penalty for cow slaughter in Rajya Sabha.

Cow protection is in our manifesto. The Government seems to be busy in other things so it is my duty as a BJP MP to bring in this bill, said Swamy.

The BJP MP said that "Bahudar Shah had banned cow slaughter, referring to the Mughal era."

"It was the British who made cow slaughter fashionable in our country. Modern science says cows have many scientific uses. Urea is used to make modern allopathic medicines. U.S has given patents for urine to be used in medicine. Our ancient rishis have told us this. The veneration of the cows is justifiable for these reasons. We should set up gaushalas in every village. Because cow meat has such high export value, we need a strong punishment as a deterrent. Capital punishment," said Swamy.

As per the Cow Protection Bill, 2017 seeks "to create an authority to ensure stabilisation of population of cows and to suggest such measures to comply with Article 37 and 48 of the Constitution, to ban the slaugher of cow and to provide deterrent punishment including death penalty for slaughter of cow and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto."

What does article 37 and 48 say?

The Article 37 says that the provisions of Directive Principles are not enforceable by any court. It emphasises that it is the duty of the state to apply these principles in making laws to establish a just society.

The Article 48 instructs the state to ban the slaughter of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.

In parliamentary history, only one private member's bill has become a law. While scores of private members' bills are introduced each session, they are invariably withdrawn by the respective members after the government gives its views on those subjects.

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